Direct memory download in a voice data and rf integrated circuit and method for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) includes an RF transceiver module that produces received data based on a received RF signal and that produces a transmitted RF signal based on transmit data. A memory module includes a first read only memory (ROM) segment for storing a first plurality of operational instructions, and a first random access memory (RAM) segment for storing a second plurality of operational instructions. A first processing module executes the plurality of operational instructions that include baseband processing to generate input data from the received data, and to produce the transmit data from input data. A first memory interface provides direct downloading of the second plurality of operational instructions from the external memory to the first RAM segment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to U.S. Utility application Ser. No.11/706,461, entitled “DIRECT MEMORY DOWNLOAD IN A VOICE DATA AND RFINTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH” (Attorney Docket No.BP5845), filed Feb. 15, 2007, pending; which claims priority pursuant to35 USC §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/875,674,entitled “DIRECT MEMORY DOWNLOAD IN A VOICE DATA AND RF INTEGRATEDCIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH,” (Attorney Docket No. BP5845),filed Dec. 18, 2006, expired, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utilitypatent application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices andmore particularly to memory in a combined voice, data and RF integratedcircuit used therein.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of productsincluding, but certainly not limited to, portable electronic devices,computers, computer networking equipment, home entertainment, automotivecontrols and features, and home appliances. As is also known, integratedcircuits include a plurality of circuits in a very small space toperform one or more fixed or programmable functions.

Memory management can be an important consideration for electronicdevices. While memory has become cheaper to produce and easier toimplement, more advanced and sophisticated applications can require morememory than ever before. When memory is not used wisely, it can slow theoperation of a device, consume more power and/or be more costly toproduce.

The advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilledin the art when presented with the disclosure herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adigital signal processing subsystem of an integrated circuit;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and non-real-time data 26 wirelesslywith one or more other devices such as base station 18, non-real-timedevice 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/or real-timedevice 24. In addition, communication device 10 can also optionallycommunicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device 12,real-time device 14 and non-real-time and/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directioanllycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as a combined voice, data and RFintegrated circuit that includes one or more features or functions ofthe present invention. Such integrated circuits shall be described ingreater detail in association with FIGS. 3-7 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a voicedata RF integrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implementscommunication device 10 in conjunction with microphone 60,keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54, speaker 62, display 56, camera 76,antenna interface 52 and wireline port 64. In operation, voice data RFIC 50 includes RF and baseband modules for formatting and modulatingdata into RF real-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24 andtransmitting this data via an antenna interface 52 and antenna. Inaddition, voice data RF IC 50 includes the appropriate encoders anddecoders for communicating via the wireline connection 28 via wirelineport 64, an optional memory interface for communicating with off-chipmemory 54, a codec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 intodigital voice signals, a keypad/keyboard interface for generating datafrom keypad/keyboard 58 in response to the actions of a user, a displaydriver for driving display 56, such as by rendering a color videosignal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driver suchas an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the voice data RF IC is asystem on a chip integrated circuit that includes at least oneprocessing device. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, centralprocessing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logicdevice, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The associated memory may bea single memory device or a plurality of memory devices that are eitheron-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such a memory device may be aread-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any devicefor storing digital information. Note that when the Voice Data RF IC 50implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associatedmemory storing the corresponding operational instructions for thiscircuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 50 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication devices 10 and 30 asdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 3. Voice data RF IC 50particularly includes a digital signal processor (DSP) subsystem thatincludes processing module 225 and memory module 230 that receives datafrom an RF module and provides baseband processing to produce inputdata. In addition, this DSP subsystem accepts output data and providesbaseband processing to generate output data to the RF module. Furtherdetails regarding the operation of the DSP subsystem will be describedin greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 5-9 that follow.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 4 presents a communication device 30 that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 3 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Voice data RF IC 70 is similar to voice data RF IC 50 and iscapable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed tovoice data RF IC 50 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. However,voice data RF IC 70 includes two separate wireless transceivers forcommunicating, contemporaneously, via two or more wireless communicationprotocols via RF data 40 and RF voice signals 42.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 70 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication device 10 as discussed inconjunction with FIG. 1. Further, RF IC 70 includes a digital signalprocessing subsystem in accordance with the present invention that willbe discussed in greater detail in association with FIGS. 5-9.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adigital signal processing subsystem 175 of an integrated circuit. Inparticular, a voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC), such as Voicedata RF IC 50 or 70 includes an RF transceiver module 200 that producesreceived data 202 based on a received RF signal 208 such as from antennainterface 52, 72 or 74 and that produces a transmitted RF signal 206based on transmit data 204 in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. The DSP subsystem 175 includes a memory module 230 thatincludes a first read only memory (ROM) segment 238 for storing a firstplurality of operational instructions, and a first random access memory(RAM) segment 232 for storing a second plurality of operationalinstructions. The voice data and RF IC further includes bus 210 forproviding data flow between various modules of the voice data and RF ICand with external devices such as memory 54 optionally through anadditional memory interface (not expressly shown), an optional secondprocessing module 300 for executing the applications associated withvoice data RF IC, for controlling the protocol stack and performingand/or controlling other functions of communication device 10 and/or 30.

In operation, the processing module 225 executes the plurality ofoperational instructions to perform baseband processing that generatesinput data from the received data 202 to be shared with one or moreapplications of the voice data RF IC 50 and/or 70. In addition, DSPsubsystem 175 produces the transmit data 204 from output data receivedfrom the application or applications. In particular, such basebandprocessing can include digital transmit/receive functions that include,but are not limited to, digital basedband to intermediate frequency (IF)conversion, IF to baseband conversion, modulation/demodulation,mapping/demapping, puncturing/depuncturing, coding/decoding, and/orscrambling/descrambling.

In addition, this architecture provides a memory interface, such as DMAinterface 244 or other interface that provides direct downloading of thesecond plurality of operational instructions from the external memory 54to the first RAM segment. In a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, a direct memory access (DMA) channel is provided tofacilitate such DMA transfers of program code from the external memory54 to the memory module 230, via DMA commands. This memory interface canfurther include one or more memory registers of memory 54 and/or memorymodule 230 for storing DMA commands and operational instructionsexecuted by DMA interface 244 of memory module 230 to transfer theprogram code using DMA commands as described above.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory module includes asecond read only memory (ROM) segment 240 for storing basebandprocessing data, and a second random access memory (RAM) segment 234 forstoring first data, wherein the first data includes at least one oftransmit data, receive data, input data and output data and or otherintermediate results used in the baseband processing. A second memoryinterface, also implemented in DMA interface 244, transfers receive datato the second RAM segment and transfers transmit data from second RAMsegment. Further, memory module includes a third random access memory(RAM) segment 236 for storing second data, wherein the second dataincludes at least one or transmit data, receive data, input data andoutput data, and wherein the processing module parallel processes thefirst data and the second data. For instance, RAM 234 can store an Xvalue and RAM 236 can store a Y value such that parallel processing canbe used to compute a value for the product XY, etc. The basebandprocessing data can include wave tables such as sine and cosine tables,filter coefficients and other constants, fixed parameters and look-uptables used in baseband processing.

Memory module 230 further includes a patch code RAM section forproviding corrections that may be required to the ROM program code ordata stored on ROM 238 or 240. As shown, one or more hardware engines260 are included that facilitate the transfer of received data 202 andtransmit data 204 between the DSP subsystem 175 and the RF transceivermodule 200, and that perform other functions, such as coding anddecoding, equalization, audio processing, encryption, event timing,pulse code modulation, a command interface to the RF transceiver module200, audio and/or voice processing, and other processing functions,either real-time or otherwise. Memory module 230 further includes aninterface 250, for providing transfers of data directly between DSPsubsystem 175 and hardware engines 260. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the interface 250 provides a high-speed interface that canhandle realtime data streams.

In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module 225 canincludes at least one processing device. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions stored in an associatedmemory such as integrated memory module 230. Portions of the memorydevice may be a volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device for storing digitalinformation. Note that when the processing module 225 implements one ormore of its functions via a state machine, digital circuitry, and/orlogic circuitry, the associated memory storing the correspondingoperational instructions for this circuitry is embedded with thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-5. In step 400, received data is received basedon a received RF signal. In step 402, a transmitted RF signal isgenerated based on transmit data. In step 404, a first plurality ofoperational instructions are stored in a first read only memory (ROM)segment. In step 406, a second plurality of operational instructions aredirectly downloaded from an external memory to a first random accessmemory (RAM) segment. In step 408, input data is generated from thereceived data. In step 410, the transmit data is generated from inputdata. In an embodiment of the present invention, step 406 includes adirect memory access (DMA) transfer.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 6 and one or more of the functionsand features described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-5. In step 500,baseband processing data are stored in a second read only memory (ROM)segment. In step 502, first data is stored in a second random accessmemory (RAM) segment, wherein the first data includes at least one oftransmit data, receive data, input data and output data. In anembodiment of the present invention, the baseband processing dataincludes at least one of filter coefficients, a wave table, and alook-up table.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 7 and one or more of the functionsand features described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6. In step 510receive data is directly transferred to the second RAM segment. In step512, transmit data are directly transferred from second RAM segment. Inan embodiment of the present invention, steps 510 and/or step 512include a direct memory access (DMA) transfer.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 7 and one or more of the functionsand features described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6 and 8. In step 520,second data are stored in a third random access memory (RAM) segment,wherein the second data includes at least one or transmit data, receivedata, input data and output data. In step 522, the first data and thesecond data are processed in parallel.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) comprising: an RFtransceiver module that produces received data based on a received RFsignal and that produces a transmitted RF signal based on transmit data;a memory module that includes a first read only memory (ROM) segment forstoring a first plurality of operational instructions, a first randomaccess memory (RAM) segment for storing a second plurality ofoperational instructions, and a second random access memory (RAM)segment for storing first data; and a first processing module, coupledto the memory module, that executes the plurality of operationalinstructions that include baseband processing to generate input datafrom the received data, and to produce the transmit data from inputdata; a first memory interface, coupled to the memory module, anexternal memory and the first processing module, the first memoryinterface providing direct downloading of the second plurality ofoperational instructions from the external memory to the first RAMsegment; a second memory interface, coupled to the memory module, theexternal memory and the first processing module, the second memoryinterface providing transfers of receive data to the second RAM segmentand transfers of transmit data from second RAM segment; wherein thefirst data includes at least one of transmit data, receive data, inputdata and output data.
 2. The voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC)of claim 1 wherein the first memory interface includes a direct memoryaccess (DMA) channel.
 3. The voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC)of claim 1 wherein the second memory interface includes a direct memoryaccess (DMA) channel.
 4. The voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC)of claim 1 wherein the memory module includes a second read only memory(ROM) segment for storing baseband processing data.
 5. The voice dataand RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 1 wherein the memory moduleincludes a third random access memory (RAM) segment for storing seconddata, wherein the second data includes at least one or transmit data,receive data, input data and output data, and wherein the processingmodule parallel processes the first data and the second data.
 6. Thevoice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 1 wherein thebaseband processing data includes at least one of filter coefficients, awave table, and a look-up table.
 7. The voice data and RF integratedcircuit (IC) of claim 1 further comprising: at least one hardwareengine, coupled to the processing module, that provides at east onereal-time function.
 8. An RF integrated circuit (IC) comprising: an RFtransceiver module that produces received data based on a received RFsignal and that produces a transmitted RF signal based on transmit data;a memory module that includes a first read only memory (ROM) segment forstoring a first plurality of operational instructions, and a firstrandom access memory (RAM) segment for storing a second plurality ofoperational instructions; a first processing module, coupled to thememory module, that executes the plurality of operational instructionsthat include baseband processing to generate input data from thereceived data, and to produce the transmit data from input data; and afirst memory interface, coupled to the memory module, an external memoryand the first processing module, the first memory interface providingdirect downloading of the second plurality of operational instructionsfrom the external memory to the first RAM segment, wherein the firstmemory interface includes a direct memory access (DMA) channel; whereinthe memory module includes a second read only memory (ROM) segment forstoring baseband processing data, and a second random access memory(RAM) segment for storing first data, wherein the first data includes atleast one of the transmit data, the receive data, the input data and theoutput data.
 9. The voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 8further comprising a second memory interface, coupled to the memorymodule, the external memory and the first processing module, the secondmemory interface providing transfers of receive data to the second RAMsegment and transfers of transmit data from second RAM segment.
 10. Thevoice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 9 wherein the secondmemory interface includes a direct memory access (DMA) channel.
 11. Thevoice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 8 wherein the memorymodule includes a third random access memory (RAM) segment for storingsecond data, wherein the second data includes at least one or transmitdata, receive data, input data and output data, and wherein theprocessing module parallel processes the first data and the second data.12. The voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) of claim 8 wherein thebaseband processing data includes at least one of filter coefficients, awave table, and a look-up table.
 13. The voice data and RF integratedcircuit (IC) of claim 8 further comprising: at least one hardwareengine, coupled to the processing module, that provides at least onereal-time function.
 14. A method for use in a voice data and RFintegrated circuit (IC) comprising: receiving received data based on areceived RF signal; generating a transmitted RF signal based on transmitdata; storing a first plurality of operational instructions m a firstread only memory (ROM) segment; directly downloading a second pluralityof operational instructions from an external memory to a first randomaccess memory (RAM) segment via a direct memory access (DMA) transfer;generating input data from the received data; generating the transmitdata from input data; storing baseband processing data in a second readonly memory (ROM) segment; and storing first data in a second randomaccess memory (RAM) segment, wherein the first data includes at leastone of the transmit data, the receive data, the input data and theoutput data.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising directlytransferring receive data to the second RAM segment; and directlytransferring transmit data from second RAM segment.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the steps of directly transferring the receive data anddirectly transferring the transmit data include a direct memory access(DMA) transfer.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the stepsof: storing second data in a third random access memory (RAM) segment,wherein the second data includes at least one or transmit data, receivedata, input data and output data; and parallel processing the first dataand the second data.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the basebandprocessing data includes at least one of filter coefficients, a wavetable, and a look-up table.